Device and method for detecting a number of electrostatic discharges

Abstract

An apparatus for detecting a number of electrostatic discharges, comprises a discharge protection device, wherein a detection unit is disposed electrically in parallel with the discharge protection device, and the detection unit encompasses at least one memory block, the memory block having a reset input.

1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for detecting a number of electrostatic discharges, comprising:
 a discharge protection device; and   a detection unit disposed electrically in parallel with the discharge protection device, the detection unit including at least one memory block, the memory block having a reset input.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the detection unit has an energy block that includes a linear controller. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the detection unit has a switch. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the switch is an NMOS transistor. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the switch is disposed between the discharge protection device and the memory block. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the energy block has a first output and a second output, a capacitor being disposed between the first output and the second output. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the memory block has a first terminal and a second terminal, a timer being disposed between the first terminal and the second terminal. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the detection unit has an evaluation unit. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the detection unit includes a counter. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the detection unit includes at least one bistable flip-flop. 
     
     
         22 . A method for detecting a number of electrostatic discharges, comprising:
 detecting a voltage that is present at a discharge protection device;   generating an input voltage of the detection unit depending on the detected voltage;   activating a switch of the detection unit;   writing to at least one memory cell of the memory block; and   detecting a number of electrostatic discharges.   
     
     
         23 . The method as recited in  claim 22 , wherein an evaluation unit reads out the state of at least one memory cell of the memory block during the occurrence of an electrostatic discharge pulse.